Vision Baptist College Looking Unto Jesus Studies in Hebrews Pastor Phil Erickson Fall Semester 2015 Lecture One Introduction to Hebrews Memory Verses "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." (Hebrews 7:22) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:1, 6) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3) I The Audience The reader of the Letter to the Hebrews is apparent in the name. People who have been brought up in Judaism and converted to Christianity needed to be reinforced in order to keep them encouraged, and to prevent them from being tempted to turn their back on Christ and go back to the traditions that they were raised in. Imagine the man that grew up in a Jewish home: everyone he knows has believed the same way for his or her entire life; his family in many cases has disowned him, his friends have now left him, and his business associates now refuse to trade with him. This type of sacrifice is something that we cannot completely understand in the culture that we live in today. He begins to wonder, is this sacrifice really worth it? Is this Christian religion truly the religion that Abraham and Moses and David looked to? Is Jesus really the Messiah? The Letter to the Hebrews reassures the Jewish believer that he is exactly where he needs to be. It also gives the Jew who is not yet a Christian a lot to think about. Christianity had caused quite a stir in the first century. There were many Jews who were giving Studies in Hebrews 1 Introduction (Revised 091415)
closet consideration to the doctrines of Christ. This Letter would answer many of their questions and would give some the faith that they needed to yield to their true Messiah. The Book of Hebrews can be divided into three key sections: 1 The Person of Christ is Better (1:1 2:4) 2 The Principles of Christianity are Better (2:5 10:39) 3 The Practices of Christians are Better (11:1 13:25) You might ask better than what? - Better than the shadow that they had in Judaism. Christ was the substance the Old Testament worship system was filled with shadows and types that were mere pictures of the reality. The Old Testament Temple was merely a type of the true temple in Heaven. The Old Testament sacrifices all pictured and pointed to the true sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. II The Author The writer to the letter to the Hebrews has been the subject of much debate for centuries. It is an anonymous book. However, we can be sure about the fact that God is the author to the letter to the Hebrews because All scripture is given by inspiration of God. (2 Timothy 3:16) "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21) As far as whom the human instrument used of God to pen these words, we cannot be sure, but here are the theories: A Luke Some say that the writing is similar to Luke s Gospel and the Book of Acts. We are told that it is a masterpiece of Greek literature much like Luke s other writings. However, Luke was most likely a Gentile; and probably was not an expert in the Jewish religion, and would not have been able to fully appreciate the conversion of the Jewish believer. B Apollos Martin Luther among others believed that Apollos was the author, but none of the early writers shared in this opinion. C Paul Paul is the most popular choice for the following reasons: 1 He had a tremendous burden for the Jewish people and he was certainly qualified to instruct Jewish believers considering his background. (Romans 9:3; 10:1) Studies in Hebrews 2 Introduction (Revised 091415)
2 Paul was an expert in the Law as well as Jewish customs and traditions. (2 Corinthians 11:22 "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day." (Acts 22:3) 3 Peter tells us that Paul wrote to Jewish believers. (2 Peter 3:15) 4 The letter mentions Timothy as do other of Paul s works. (13:23) 5 The letter, though definitely unique from Paul s other writings, also contains many similarities, which will be pointed out as we study the Letter. Hebrews, as with Paul s other letters begins with a doctrinal discussion and concludes with practical instruction. 6 The fact that the letter is anonymous does not prove that Paul is not the writer, because Paul knew that the Jews were very suspicious of him. He was well known by them, and he perhaps thought that his name attached to the letter might cause it to be immediately dismissed. 7 Paul s first recorded sermon may have been the basis for this letter. (Acts 16:14 43) A possible problem to Paul s authorship is the fact that the writer claims to have received confirmation regarding the truth of salvation from someone other than the Lord. (Hebrews 2:3) Paul claimed in Galatians: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) D Others Among the group of other suggested possibilities are Barnabas, Silas, Philip, Aquila and Priscilla, and Clement of Rome. III The Age Hebrews had to have been written prior to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by General Titus Vespasian, which occurred in 70 AD. (Note the present tense references to the Jewish sacrificial system in Hebrews 5:1 4; 7:21, 23, 27 28; 8:3 5, 13; 9:6 9, 13, 25; 10:1, 3 4, 8, 11; 13:10 11.) Here is where Hebrews fits within the rest of Paul s Letters Studies in Hebrews 3 Introduction (Revised 091415)
Letter To Approx. Date Where From Galatians (region; churches) 49 AD Possibly Antioch 1 Thessalonians (city; church) 51 AD Corinth 2 Thessalonians (city; church) 51 AD Corinth 1 Corinthians (city; church) 55 AD Ephesus 2 Corinthians (city; church) 57 AD Philippi Romans (city; no church yet) 58 AD Corinth Ephesians (city; saints) 61 AD Rome (prison) Philippians (city; saints) 61 AD Rome (prison) Colossians (city; saints) 61 AD Rome (prison) Philemon (person; in Colossae) 61 AD Rome (prison) 1 Timothy (pastor) 63 AD possibly Laodicea Titus (pastor) 65 AD Necropolis 2 Timothy (pastor) 67 AD Rome Hebrews (the Jews) 61 or 67? Rome Note Dates are approximate IV The Atmosphere This Letter was written at a time when the persecution against the Jews, and more specifically against Jewish believers was intensifying. (Hebrews 10:32 39; 12:4) The City of Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed in 70 AD, just a short time away from the writing of this Letter. Key Words and Phrases 1 Better 13 times (Hebrews 1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24) 2 Perfect, Perfection 11 times (Hebrews 6:1; 7:19) 3 Let us 12 times (Hebrews 4:1, 11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:22, 23, 24; 12:1; 12:28; 13:13; 13:15) Note The Law said, Thou shalt, or Thou shalt not ; the New Covenant says, Let us. 4 heavenly 6 times (Hebrews 3:1; 6:4; 8:5; 9:23; 11:16; 12:22) 5 eternal (5 times - 5:9; 6:2; 9:12, 14, 15) and for ever (9 times 1:8; 5:6; 6:20; 7:17; 7:21; 10:12; 10:14; 13:8; 13:21) Studies in Hebrews 4 Introduction (Revised 091415)
Warning Passages 1 Hebrews 2:1 4 2 Hebrews 3:7 4:13 3 Hebrews 5:11 6:20 4 Hebrews 10:26 39 5 Hebrews 12:14 29 Note Warren Wiersbes labels for these warning passages, which he states are really exhortation passages With this truth in mind, we can now better understand the significance of those five problem passages in Hebrews. Each of these passages encourages us to heed God s Word ( God has spoken ) by pointing out the sad spiritual consequences that result if we do not. Let me list these passages for you and explain their sequence in the Book of Hebrews. I think you will see how they all hang together and present one message: heed God s word. Drifting from the Word 2:1 4 (neglect) Doubting the Word 3:7 4:13 (hard heart) Dullness toward the Word 5:11 6:20 (sluggishness) Despising the Word 10:26 39 (willfulness) Defying the Word 12:14 29 (refusing to hear) If we do not listen to God s Word and really hear it, we will start to drift. Neglect always leads to drifting, in things material and physical as well as spiritual. As we drift from the Word, we start to doubt the Word; because faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). We start to get hard hearts, and this leads to spiritual sluggishness which produces dullness toward the Word. We become dull of hearing lazy listeners! This leads to a despiteful attitude toward the Word to the extent that we willfully disobey God; and this gradually develops into a defiant attitude we almost dare God to do anything! 1 Wiersbe goes on to state that these warnings or exhortations are written to saved people who are not endanger of losing their salvation, but rather are in danger of being chastised by God (Hebrews 12:6), or even losing their lives (Hebrews 12:9). There is a sin unto death (1 John 5:16) 1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 277). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. Studies in Hebrews 5 Introduction (Revised 091415)